MĀORI ARTS INTERNSHIP Programme
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2023 Interns
Te Marunui Hotene
Tūhoe, Ngāti Pūkeko
Tūhoe, Ngāti Pūkeko
Intern at:
Ko Pūtauaki Te Maunga
Ko Ōhinemataroa te awa Ko Ngāti Pūkeko te Iwi Ko Pūkeko me Rewatu ngā Marae Ko Mataatua te Waka Ko Te Marunui Hotene ahau Kia ora my name is Te Marunui Hotene and I am a practicing artist living in Tāneatua. I was educated at Te Wharekura o Rūātoki and Wintec School of Media Arts where I achieved my Masters of Arts degree in 2017. My artwork has exhibited extensively across the mōtū in local and national galleries. I am very passionate about growing the arts in my community here in Whakatāne. I have worked in a range of media from painting and drawing, painting murals, painting skateparks, curation, designing woman’s fashion and graphic design. I am a passionate skateboarder and youth mentor. I work closely with a group of skateboarders in developing youth through skateboarding. I am also a proud member of East Coast Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. |
Nikolai Puharich
Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Takato, Ngāti Hine Intern at
Growing up, the creative arts gave me the means to express myself and explore the world around me. Storytelling, acting, creating characters and using my imagination helped to create purpose and meaning in my life.
I fell in love with filmmaking in primary school and have been making films ever since. Wanting to hone my craft as a filmmaker, I studied for a Bachelor of Creative Media Production at Massey University in Wellington. For my final major project at University, I made a short horror film called ‘The Feast’ which is currently making its rounds in the international horror film festival circuit. After graduating, I moved to Tamaki Makaurau after being selected to be a part of the Auckland Theatre Youth Company, where I am learning all aspects of acting and creative collaboration for theatre. I am so honoured that I have been offered this opportunity with the MAI programme to grow and learn as a young Maori creative in Aoetoeroa with the NZ Comedy Trust. I am looking forward to learning about what it takes to put on a large-scale festival and how to help nurture and provide support for those involved in the NZ comedy scene. I am interested in content creation, marketing, and producing, but my goals for this internship are to stay open-minded about trying new and different things; to stay curious about all the different aspects and roles, to learn as much as possible, and to have fun and make meaningful connections along the way. |
2022 Interns
Ngahina Belton-Bodsworth
Te Ātiawa, Rangitane, Muaūpoko
Te Ātiawa, Rangitane, Muaūpoko
Intern at:
“The first memories I have of being creative were immersed in Te Ao Māori and I strongly value the way art can connect us with our whakapapa and culture in an instinctive and direct way.
I have completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts with Southern Cross University (AUS) and the Dunedin School of Arts. My oil paintings have exhibited in New Zealand and internationally, and I was a finalist in the 2021 Kiingi Tūheitia Portraiture Award and touring exhibition. Having been focussed on my art practice, the MAI Programme provides me with an opportunity to connect with the community. I am really excited to be working with Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre in Ōtautahi and hope to develop skills to facilitate more opportunities for Māori artists." |
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Taniora Raniera Erihana Tamati-Rakete
Intern at:
"He uri au no Kai Tahu, Te Ātiawa, Ngā Puhi me Ngāti Pākehā
I’ve grown up in and around fine art throughout my life and have a keen interest in the arts, music, cinema and all things related to self and reflective expression. I have a particular interest in cultivating space and atmosphere creatively, and showcasing my own aesthetic. My mother has stated that ‘art is the final frontier of independent thought’, which strongly resonates with me as an indigenous person in this world. I aspire toward project management roles within the creative industry and hope the MAI Programme will open further opportunities to me." |
Alesha Ahdar
Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Arawa, Tapuika & Samoa
Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Arawa, Tapuika & Samoa
2021 Interns
Arpége Taratoa
Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Rārua
Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Rārua
Intern at:
“I grew up in the world of Art. My father studied at Massey University on the Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts, and I followed in his footsteps. Creativity for me started as an outlet, a safe space as a rangatahi to express myself where I otherwise couldn’t. Growing up with an artist for a father, and around his fellow creatives, my passion for the arts evolved through the conversations that I became a part of.
I completed my Honours at Elam School of Fine Arts, returning to Massey in 2016 for my postgraduate studies. I was lucky enough to become the youngest Lecturer at NZTC and I have worked for Wakatu Incorporation as a Creative Director for four years now. I have curated at Tauranga Art Gallery, and Art + Body Creative Studio in Mt Maunganui. I have also been involved in Exhibitions as a practicing artist around the nation. I think for me, the appeal to the MAI internship was having the support of a Māori organisation to further my engagement in the professional world. In particular, working on this internship for a Māori Trust that aligns with everything I am passionate about for Māori creatives, and collaborating with the Creative voice here in the Bay of Plenty - it just made sense to me. There is a real opportunity here to bring different entities here in Tauranga Moana together, to really support youth in the creative space, and Māori creatives local to the Bay. I am honoured to be able to be a part of that.” In partnership with Creative New Zealand, Toi Māori Aotearoa has delivered the Māori Art Internship Programme (MAI) since 2014. |
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Ngahuia Maniapoto
Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Te Ātiawa Intern at:
"It has been a privilege to join the team and learn aspects of the creative arts with a highly skilled bunch of people. Focusing on nurturing, supporting, and engaging our Māori people in the field is a big drive for me.
Being able to incorporate my passion for Te Reo Māori and creative writing has lead me to assist the team at SOUNZ on projects around Mōteatea, composer engagement and more." |
Waitahi Aniwaniwa McGee
Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Tama ki te Tau Ihu, Ngāti Pakeha Intern at:
Waitahi has joined Tāwhiri in a new role as Kairuruku Taiohi (Taiohi Project Coordinator).
Waitahi has completed two years in Toi Whakaari’s Acting course. In 2021 they have spent the last 7 months working in Freelance throughout the Wellington Theatre scene. They’ve had the privilege to open five theatre productions so far this year, two of which were in Indigenous lead festivals such as Putahi Festival and Kia Mau Festival. Waitahi has been in roles that span from Assistant Director to Stage Manager, Actor, Puppeteer, Producer, and Sound Designer. One of the works Waitahi opened was their first ever development show as part of the Putahi Festival in March 2021. Waitahi was later acknowledged in the Fringe Festival Awards as 2021’s Most Promising Emerging Artist. In their time at Toi Whakaari, Waitahi has found a burning curiosity about the Arts Sector and the western structures in which it works. More specifically, how we can develop an artist's environment to be more sustainable, placing wellbeing (i.e. financial, physical & mental) at the core of the practice. Waitahi is currently interested in further developing their producing and arts management practice, to support the development of indigenous works in the arts. Waitahi is excited to join the Tāwhiri whānau over this internship process. |
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Maegan Clarke
Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou Intern at:
Maegan is 1 of 2 interns placed at This Too Shall Pass Productions in Auckland with Chelsea Winstanley.
“I have worked for six years in the film industry after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Film and Television in 2016. During my time at uni, I held key production roles in graduation short films Waiting and I Have Curls which have respectively screened locally and internationally - notably at Toronto International Film Festival, Whānau Marama - New Zealand International Film Festival and Wairoa Māori Film Festival. For the last three years, I worked at Script to Screen - a charitable trust that helps filmmakers across Aotearoa hone their skills to tell exceptional stories that reflect who we are. In my role as Programme and Communications Coordinator, I facilitated all areas of their extensive programme (which includes mentorship, script development workshops and conferences); and managed their communications and social media. It was here that I discovered a passion for storytelling and uplifting indigenous voices. Now, I am most interested in supporting and working with indigenous filmmakers whose work inspires and provokes social change, particularly among rangatahi māori and wāhine māori. This Too Shall Pass’ focus on telling authentic stories with unique cultural perspectives fits the path that I’m on right now and I feel very fortunate to be working on important kaupapa that help to uplift and empower indigenous around the world.” |
Jackie Berryman
Tainui, Maniapoto Intern at:
Jackie is 1 of 2 interns placed at This Too Shall Pass Productions in Auckland with Chelsea Winstanley.
“I am fortunate enough to come from a whanau that is very creative. My Dad and Older siblings influenced me to pursue Graphic design. Growing up in kura kaupapa and wharekura down in Waikato, I got the benefit of learning Te Reo and growing up in Te Ao Māori. I gained my bachelor’s degree in communication design and minored in cinematic arts. I was so used to paper and pencil it wasn’t until I went to AUT that I gained the skills to do digital mahi. When I came to live in Auckland, it was like a culture shock, I was so used to being around Māori that I realized there weren’t many Māori in my degree. At first when I heard about the MAI internship, I wanted to gain experience in the film world learning about editing and producing films alongside Chelsea Winstanley and Tyrone Ohia. However I’ve realized that this is a chance to show other Māori that there are opportunities within the art world to share your creativity and stories.” |
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2020 Interns
Awhimai Fraser
Ngaati Maahanga Hourua, Ngaati Korokii Kahukura, Ngaati Puukenga, Ngai Taamanuhiri, Ngaati Whaawhaakia, Ngaati Kahungunu me Ngai Te Ipu
Ngaati Maahanga Hourua, Ngaati Korokii Kahukura, Ngaati Puukenga, Ngai Taamanuhiri, Ngaati Whaawhaakia, Ngaati Kahungunu me Ngai Te Ipu
Intern at:
“I come from a beautiful whanau of singers and musicians, therefore growing up with a huge love of singing and performing. When I was 16, I decided to study a Degree in Musical Theatre which led me to performing in musicals/shows for about a year.
It wasn’t until a trip to China as a kaiwaiata that I knew it was time for me to come home and learn my Reo Maaori. I had the honour of studying in a one year full-immersion course in Taamaki Makaurau before an opportunity arose to try screen acting. I worked in various television shows for the past 3 years and now I am honoured to be the Taurima of NZ Opera. Safe to say, I love being involved in the Arts! I’m genuinely looking forward to learning more about Opera (I’ve always had huge respect for this art form) within a Company whose ambition is to reimagine the art form, leading Opera from Aotearoa embracing diversity and inclusion. I’m also excited to be involved in a new initiative Voices of Aotearoa 6:24, bringing together six groups of four talented artists, exploring what might be like to begin to create an opera.” |
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Jordan Mihi Walker
Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūhoe
Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūhoe
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Intern at:
“I’ve worked in the Festival Industry for 10 years in Australia and Aotearoa, within various ‘behind the scenes’ departments, but performance art has always been a passion of mine. As such, I’m keen to dig deeper into that side of my curiosities.
I’m a passionate writer and have dabbled in playwriting, short stories and poetry. I’ve never been subject to possibilities of advancing those passions, and so I’m hoping this internship will pave way for that experience. I’m keen to tackle areas that I’ve not had the pleasure of working before, but in particularly liaising with creatives and helping then with their Kaupapa. I would also love to engage with our tāmariki in a worthwhile cause that supports and nurtures them. Personally I hope that this internship helps to unleash my own passion within performance arts.” |
Maioha Allen
Ngāti Apakura, Waikato Maniapoto
Ngāti Apakura, Waikato Maniapoto
Intern at:
“I grew up in the space of Māori Performing Arts having had parents and grandparents being leaders in the Kapa Haka realm and all that comes with it. For the last 5 years I was working as a Te Reo Māori teacher at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Things changed in my life, which has brought me here to Toi Māori, to Te Pou Theatre.
I would like to acknowledge and thank Amber Curreen, Tainui Tukiwaho, Amanda Rees and the rest of our Te Pou team for opening your arms out to me. I look forward to learning the many ways of theatre and getting the ins and out of productions. Again, E kore te puna o te mihi e mimiti ki a kotou i whakairo mai kia whai wāhi ai tēnei ihu hūpē ki ngā ringa me ngā huruhuru a te matakaikutu, a te kirikawa ki ngā Toi Rehia. Hikaka katoa ana tēnei ki te kai i ngā hua kua hora ki tēnei Takapau Mātauranga. Aku rahi tēnā koutou!’ |
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MAI Alumni
2019
Hōhua Thompson
Ngāti Rangiwewehi/Ngāti Patuwhare/ Patukoraha/Ngai Tamawera Enjoy Gallery Wellington |
Keri Mei Zagrobelna
Te Whānau ā Apanui and Te Ātiawa SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music Wellington |
Sophia Acheson
Ngāpuhi New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Wellington |
Jessica Thompson-Carr
Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Ruanui The Court Theatre Christchurch |
Michelle Rahurahu Scott
Te Arawa (Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whaoa, Ngāti Uenukukopako, Ngāti Tuwharetoa), and Tainui (Ngāti Raukawa) The BATS Theatre Wellington |
Emily Hakaraia
Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira Performing Arts Network NZ (PANZ) Auckland/Wellington |
2018
Māia Abraham
Blue Oyster Art Project Space Art Space Dunedin |
Kaea Graham
Ngati Porou Kahurangi New Zealand Dance Company Hastings |
Tayi Tibble
Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngati Porou New Zealand Book Council Wellington |
Baylee Watene-Kay
Te Pou Theatre Māori Theatre Auckland |
Anahera Olsen-Ngatai
Tempo Dance Festival New Zealand Auckland |
Mya Morrison-Middleton
Ngai Tāhu The Basement Theatre Auckland |
2017
Miriama Grace-Smith
Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Porou New Zealand Festival Multi Arts Festival (biennial) Wellington |
Trae Te Wiki
Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Awa Atamira Dance Company Māori Dance Company Auckland |
Leonard Murupaenga
Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu Creative Northland Multi Arts Organisation Whangarei |
2016
Aroha Rawson
Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Te Rangi, Ngāti Raukawa Auckland Arts Festival Multi-arts festival Auckland |
Gina Matchitt
Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Ngahere City Gallery Wellington Visual Art Gallery Wellington |
Ariana Kutia
Ngāi Tūhoe SCAPE Public Art Public Art Installations Christchurch |
2015
Chloe Cull
Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi te Ruahikihiki The Dowse Art Museum Art Museum Lower Hutt |
Jared Hiakita
Ngāi Tūhoe The Court Theatre Theatre Christchurch |
Pehia King
Ngati Māhuta ki te tai Hauāuru, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tama me Ngāti Mutunga Pataka Art+Museum Art Museum (Council funded) Porirua |
2014
Martin Langdon
Tainui, Waikato, Ngāi Tahu Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki Art Gallery Auckland |
Piata Winitana-Murray
Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Auckland Arts Festival Multi-arts festival (annual) Auckland |
Keriata Royal-Taeao
Waikato, Ngāti Raukawa, Marutūahu, Ngā Puhi Chamber Music New Zealand National music organisation Wellington |